Building Bridges

05/13/2026

The final session of this fantastic series about local history is coming up in June. Join Sylvia Roberts at the Sonora Museum Courtyard to learn about California's Black Gold Rush Pioneers. Save the date!

We are thrilled to share a unique opportunity made possible through the partnership of Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians , Building Bridges , Columbia College , Tuolumne County Historical Society , and Columbia State Historic Park
The speaker series Beyond Gold: Stories Across Cultures honors two major milestones in local history:

- The 175th Anniversary of Tuolumne County’s official establishment (1851–2025) and Sonora’s in 2026, and
- The 164th Anniversary of Columbia’s historic role as the site of the first documented U.S. Cinco de Mayo celebration in 1862.

Beyond Gold: Stories Across Cultures brings forward the layered, interwoven histories of Me‑Wuk, Mexican, Latino American, Chinese, and Black communities whose presence and contributions shaped the Motherlode long before and long after the Gold Rush. While the Gold Rush is often told as a single‑story narrative of miners and fortune seekers, the reality is far richer. The region’s history is one of migration, cultural exchange, and community‑transformation.

04/15/2026

Have you ever wondered about the real history of the Mexican and Latino community in Sonora, Columbia, and the Gold Rush region?
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear directly from Dr. David Hayes‑Bautista — one of the nation’s leading scholars on Latino history.
Don't miss the opportunity! Thursday April 16 at 3:30 pm - online, register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Beyond Gold Stories Across Cultures: Latinos in the Gold Country. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

04/10/2026

https://uclahs.zoom.us/meeting/register/K71UHZvkROCJAGzCtTYxfA

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Beyond Gold Stories Across Cultures: Latinos in the Gold Country. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

03/13/2026

Stories Across Cultures continue! Thursday, March 19th @ 3:30 pm Columbia College, a collaboration with Tuolumne County Historical Society.

03/07/2026

Last night we opened our 2026 Speaker Series with a powerful and deeply grounding evening at Columbia College. Between 80 and 90 community members gathered to begin Tuolumne County’s 175th anniversary reflections in a spirit of respect, learning, and connection.
Swipe to see moments from the room — the faces of a community ready to listen, and the presenters who guided us into a fuller understanding of this land’s history.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Stephanie Beaver Guzman and Kyle Cox, Director of Culture for the Me Wuk Tribe. Their presentation illuminated the living history, governance, and cultural continuity of the Me Wuk people, reminding us that the story of Tuolumne County begins long before statehood or settlement.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Beaver Guzman and Mr. Cox, and to every participant who contributed to the evening. Although we are not sharing images of the ceremony out of respect for Me Wuk cultural protocols, its presence grounded the entire gathering in gratitude and connection.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your presence shows that our community is ready to learn together, listen across experiences, and widen the circle of who is seen and valued in the story of Tuolumne County.

Speaker Series partners: Tuolumne County Historical Society, Columbia College, Columbia State Historic Park, ConAmor Building Bridges

02/28/2026

El Tigre
Mexicans founded Sonora, originally "El Campo de los Sonoreneses"

02/24/2026

March 5th at 3:30 pm at Columbia College Library. Shuttle will be provided from the student parking lot to the library.

A severe winter storm forced some last-minute rescheduling of events planned for Thursday, as more low-elevation snow was expected overnight.

02/18/2026

Due to the weather conditions, Speaker Series opening has been rescheduled to March 5th at 3:30 pm.

An upcoming speaker series titled “Beyond Gold: Stories Across Cultures” beginning next week will feature the layered, interwoven stories of Me‑Wuk, Mexican, Latino American, Chinese, Black, and other immigrant communities

01/15/2026

“In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It’s always about critical connections.” Grace Lee Boggs

‘Big tent’ is a metaphor for a container wide enough for community organizers and issue-area advocates; institutional reformers; bridge-builders and dialogue practitioners; faith leaders; veterans and military families; business executives; labor unions; professional associations; artists and cu...